This week, online video game distributor Steam kicked off its seasonal Next Fest, and fans of the casual “cozy” genre are in for a treat. The event highlights new and upcoming video game releases from indie devs and AAA studios and connects users with countless downloadable demos, exclusive streams, and developer insight. With these downloadable demos, cozy gamers get a sneak peek at their most-anticipated titles with no financial commitment.
Whether you are a fan of farm simulators, desktop pets, visual novels, idlers, or lighthearted puzzles, Steam Next Fest is bound to have something just for you. Ready those fuzzy blankets and order takeout — these cute, low-stakes titles are perfect for gamers prepared to kick back and sink into the sofa.
Spray Paint Simulator
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- Image Credit: North Star Video Games, Whitethorn Games, Steam.
Developer: North Star Video Games
Publisher: Whitethorn Games
Release Date: Q2 2025
“Bring color to the world in Spray Paint Simulator! Restore worn-out surfaces with a fresh coat of paint and watch them come back to life. Use your spray tool with precision, cover every inch, and enjoy the satisfaction of a flawless finish.”
Olliefrog Toad Skater
- Image Credit: Mr. Thee, Steam.
Developer: Mr. Thee
Publisher: Mr. Thee
Release Date: Q2 2025
“Olliefrog Toad Skater is the amphibian-based skateboarding game where its easy to be steezy! Create your own little custom cute frog or toad and hit up the local skatepark for a brief skating session, OR tackle the more extensive story/career modes and ollie, grind, and kickflip your way to the top.”
Urban Jungle
- Image Credit: Kylyk Games, Assemble Entertainment, Steam.
Developer: Kylyk Games
Release Date: Q2 2025
“Use luscious plants to turn your ordinary home into a green haven in Urban Jungle. Find the best place for each plant in your small apartment and enjoy gardening without worries. And don’t forget to pet your cat!”
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Is This Seat Taken?
- Image Credit: Poti Poti Studio, Wholesome Games Presents, Steam.
Developer: Poti Poti Studio
Publisher: Wholesome Games Presents
Release Date: TBD
“Is This Seat Taken? is a logic puzzle game where you play matchmaker for groups of hilariously particular people. Each character has pet peeves that make seating them a delightful challenge. Find the perfect spot for each person to unlock new levels in this cozy, silly, and relatable experience.”
Whisper of the House
- Image Credit: GD Studio, Steam.
Developer: GD Studio
Publisher: GD Studio
Release Date: Available Now
“Whisper of the House is a cozy game about organizing and decorating. You’ll take on various requests from the townspeople—helping them move, organize, and clean their spaces. In the process, your gentle touch might make a difference in their lives, and perhaps uncover some hidden stories…”
Paper Trails: A Scrapbooking Story
- Image Credit: Pixel Poxet, Steam.
Developer: Pixel Poxet
Publisher: Pixel Poxet
Release Date: TBD
“A 2D puzzle game about cozy scrapbooking as you follow a little girl’s life. Solve puzzles to create the correct spreads and make choices that will influence Belle along her journey of growing up and reconnecting with her mother.”
Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat
- Image Credit: Destroyer Doggo, Steam.
Developer: Destroyer Doggo
Publisher: Destroyer Doggo
Release Date: March 6, 2025
“Relax in Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat, an idle game where you join Bao Bao, a charming panda, in creating the coziest laundromat. Purchase colorful washing machines, add delightful decorations, and hire panda helpers. Watch your cozy laundromat bustle with life, even when you’re not around!”
Little Problems: A Cozy Detective Game
- Image Credit: Posh Cat Studios, Playstack, Steam.
Developer: Posh Cat Studios
Publisher: Playstack
Release Date: 2025
“Little Problems is a Cozy Detective game about solving mysteries around minor inconveniences, everyday misunderstandings, and of course, little problems. This game is not about saving the world; it’s about enriching it, one case at a time.”
So to Speak
- Image Credit: Erik Andersen, Steam.
Developer: Erik Andersen
Publisher: Erik Andersen
Release Date: March 31, 2025
“Can you learn Japanese by solving puzzles? So to Speak is a game about wandering in Japan, looking at signs, overhearing conversations, and using context clues in the environment to figure out what it all means. No background in Japanese is assumed.”
Culinarium
- Image Credit: bengugus, Steam.
Developer: bengugus
Publisher: bengugus
Release Date: 2025
“Culinarium is a card management cooking game where you stack ingredients to create recipes and cook dishes. For example, if you cut some Salmon slices on a cutting board and stack them with rice, soy sauce, and wasabi, you’ll make a Salmon Nigiri.”
Yes, Next Fest began yesterday, February 24, at 10 a.m. PST, but Steam users can download free demos spanning all genres until Monday, March 3, at 10 a.m. PST. Head to Steam to get started.
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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